The rising cost of living, particularly in housing and groceries, is pushing more families in the Chelan Valley, and statewide, to seek assistance from food banks.
"The food bank started 42 years ago in the Log Cabin Church here in downtown Chelan, and it took them a year to serve a thousand families," said the food bank's Richard Springer. "We did over 1,200 families in November alone."
In addition to the need for food donations, cash is king as it allows the food bank to leverage bulk food purchases from Chelan Market, Manson Bay Market, Safeway, Walmart and Winco.
"Right now my biggest need is rice and dried beans, and pet food," Springer emphasized. "I get a truck up from Wenatchee on Fridays that is contracted from 2nd Harvest. It's amazing how much food we go through in a week."
Additionally, Spring says the food bank is in need of heavy-duty manual can openers so that patrons can get into non-perishable items. Plus, there’s a need today for egg cartons, as a way to pay it forward.
"We're getting a lot of eggs," said Springer. "Walmart gave us about 12 cases of 15 dozen eggs the other day. I can give them out, but then only 12 people would get eggs. This way I can break them down (cases of eggs) into dozens and we'll give them out and spread the wealth."
Due to the increasing demand, the food bank is remodeling their location at 417 S. Bradley St. in Chelan.
"We're putting in a walk-in freezer and a walk-in refrigerator which are desperately needed because I'm just running out of space." added Springer. "This community is wonderful, in what they donate to us. As they bring in more and more stuff I'm actually using our utility trailer, covered utility trailer outside, as a secondary freezer."
Food Lifeline, the largest hunger relief organization in the state, reports food insecurity affects about 25% of Washingtonians, meaning one in four residents is struggling to access enough food.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office reports that food costs in western Washington have increased by 20% since 2021.
Find out more about the Lake Chelan Food Bank, and offer a donation here.
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